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Lead Contamination

Lead in West Virginia Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

248
Cities Tested
2
Exceeds Limit
1%
% Exceeds Limit
2.0 ppb
State Avg
▼ 1% vs national
vs National
223
Health Violations
Analysis

Lead in West Virginia: what the data shows

West Virginia has 248 cities with lead monitoring data, with very few cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 2.0 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — better than the national average. 2 cities exceed the 15 ppb action level. High lead levels in tap water typically indicate aging infrastructure — lead service lines, lead solder in older plumbing, or lead-containing brass fixtures. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

West Virginia
1%
2 of 248 cities
← ▼ 1% below national rate (better)
National avg
2%
378 of 15681 cities
City Map

Lead data across West Virginia

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in West Virginia

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

  1. 1 F Davis 29.2 ppb Yes 977
  2. 2 F Richwood 18.5 ppb Yes 2K
  3. 3 F Lester 14.1 ppb 665
  4. 4 F Fairmont 13.3 ppb 40K
  5. 5 B- Cool Ridge 9.8 ppb 4K
  6. 6 A- Belington 9.6 ppb 2K
  7. 7 C Cottageville 9.3 ppb 3K
  8. 8 F Morgantown 9.0 ppb 78K
  9. 9 B- Capon Bridge 9.0 ppb 700
  10. 10 C+ Frank 9.0 ppb 504
All Cities

All West Virginia cities ranked by lead level

# City Level Level Exceeds? Violations Grade
1 Davis 29.2 ppb
Yes 15
F
2 Richwood 18.5 ppb
Yes 9
F
3 Lester 14.1 ppb
No 13
F
4 Fairmont 13.3 ppb
No 18
F
5 Cool Ridge 9.8 ppb
No 1
B-
6 Belington 9.6 ppb
No 0
A-
7 Cottageville 9.3 ppb
No 3
C
8 Morgantown 9.0 ppb
No 50
F
9 Capon Bridge 9.0 ppb
No 2
B-
10 Frank 9.0 ppb
No 2
C+
11 Frank 9.0 ppb
No 2
C+
12 Varney 8.6 ppb
No 7
F
13 Piedmont 7.9 ppb
No 15
F
14 Princeton 7.2 ppb
No 15
B
15 Lewisburg 7.1 ppb
No 17
F
16 Ridgeley (Rr Name Ridgely) 6.3 ppb
No 4
F
17 Proctor 5.6 ppb
No 1
B-
18 Cameron 5.6 ppb
No 12
F
19 Mason (Rr Name Mason City) 5.3 ppb
No 1
D+
20 Friendly 4.9 ppb
No 2
C+
21 Vienna 4.6 ppb
No 1
C-
22 Hundred 4.6 ppb
No 1
B+
23 Point Pleasant 4.5 ppb
No 2
B
24 Letart 4.5 ppb
No 0
A-
25 Athens 4.3 ppb
No 1
A-
26 Ripley 4.3 ppb
No 62
F
27 Keyser 4.3 ppb
No 1
D
28 New Creek (Newcreek) 3.9 ppb
No 4
B
29 War 3.9 ppb
No 5
D
30 Wiley Ford 3.8 ppb
No 5
F
31 Gary 3.8 ppb
No 27
F
32 Norton 3.8 ppb
No 2
B+
33 Junior 3.8 ppb
No 0
A-
34 Arthurdale 3.7 ppb
No 5
F
35 Augusta 3.5 ppb
No 18
F
36 Berkeley Springs 3.5 ppb
No 13
F
37 Williamstown 3.4 ppb
No 2
C-
38 Clarksburg 3.3 ppb
No 5
F
39 Ravenswood 3.3 ppb
No 12
F
40 Peterstown 3.2 ppb
No 2
A-
41 Chester 3.2 ppb
No 6
C
42 Walton 3.2 ppb
No 16
B
43 Ashton 3.1 ppb
No 0
B+
44 Terra Alta 3.1 ppb
No 2
F
45 Inwood 3.0 ppb
No 12
D+
46 Crichton 2.9 ppb
No 1
D+
47 Inwood 2.9 ppb
No 5
B
48 Nettie 2.9 ppb
No 13
B-
49 Belmont 2.9 ppb
No 0
B
50 Craigsville 2.7 ppb
No 3
A-
51 Parkersburg 2.6 ppb
No 8
C
52 Bluewell 2.6 ppb
No 34
D
53 Harrisville 2.6 ppb
No 18
D
54 Star City 2.6 ppb
No 0
B+
55 Clay 2.6 ppb
No 13
D
56 Martinsburg 2.6 ppb
No 16
F
57 Augusta 2.5 ppb
No 3
B-
58 Talcott 2.5 ppb
No 7
B-
59 Reedsville 2.4 ppb
No 20
D+
60 Slab Fork 2.4 ppb
No 7
B-
61 Sistersville 2.3 ppb
No 10
D
62 Point Pleasant 2.1 ppb
No 11
F
63 Mineralwells 2.1 ppb
No 14
C
64 Stonewood 2.1 ppb
No 2
B+
65 Shepherdstown 2.0 ppb
No 20
C
66 Hedgesville 2.0 ppb
No 5
D
67 Mt Storm 2.0 ppb
No 6
D+
68 Hepzibah 2.0 ppb
No 2
B
69 Hambleton 2.0 ppb
No 12
D
70 Hambleton 2.0 ppb
No 12
D
71 Hambleton 2.0 ppb
No 12
D
72 Kermit 2.0 ppb
No 5
D
73 Gerrardstown 2.0 ppb
No 0
B+
74 Pine Grove 2.0 ppb
No 11
D
75 Paw Paw 1.9 ppb
No 16
D
76 Reader 1.9 ppb
No 1
B+
77 Petersburg 1.8 ppb
No 0
A-
78 Gallipolis Ferry (Rr Name Gall 1.8 ppb
No 0
B
79 Pax 1.8 ppb
No 7
F
80 Keyser 1.7 ppb
No 6
D+
81 West Hamlin 1.7 ppb
No 4
D
82 Elizabeth 1.7 ppb
No 2
C+
83 Cowen 1.6 ppb
No 4
D+
84 Worthington 1.6 ppb
No 2
F
85 Follansbee 1.5 ppb
No 5
D+
86 Kingwood 1.5 ppb
No 4
A
87 Core 1.5 ppb
No 0
A-
88 Monongah 1.5 ppb
No 5
B+
89 New Cumberland 1.5 ppb
No 7
D
90 Boothsville 1.5 ppb
No 1
F
91 Adamsville 1.5 ppb
No 2
C
92 Adamsville 1.5 ppb
No 2
C
93 Burlington 1.5 ppb
No 0
D+
94 Franklin 1.5 ppb
No 22
B
95 Sutton 1.4 ppb
No 3
A-
96 Sutton 1.4 ppb
No 3
A-
97 West Union 1.4 ppb
No 4
F
98 Wardensville 1.4 ppb
No 33
F
99 Meadowville 1.4 ppb
No 0
B+
100 St. Albans 1.3 ppb
No 2
F
101 Glen Dale 1.3 ppb
No 6
A-
102 Salem 1.3 ppb
No 38
F
103 Clover 1.3 ppb
No 20
C
104 Beckley 1.3 ppb
No 7
A-
105 Odd 1.3 ppb
No 6
B-
106 Mannington 1.2 ppb
No 19
C
107 Bethlehem 1.2 ppb
No 6
B+
108 Maybeury 1.2 ppb
No 8
D+
109 Hartford City (Corporate Name 1.2 ppb
No 2
F
110 Shinnston 1.2 ppb
No 11
F
111 Welch 1.2 ppb
No 20
F
112 Mcgraws 1.1 ppb
No 4
C+
113 Danese 1.1 ppb
No 1
A-
114 Wiley Ford 1.1 ppb
No 3
D
115 Wiley Ford 1.1 ppb
No 3
D
116 New Martinsville 1.1 ppb
No 4
F
117 New Manchester (Pughtown) 1.1 ppb
No 0
A-
118 Five Forks 1.1 ppb
No 9
F
119 Burnsville 1.1 ppb
No 3
B-
120 Ragland 1.1 ppb
No 4
F
121 Alderson 1.1 ppb
No 5
A-
122 Union 1.1 ppb
No 11
B
123 Huntington 1.0 ppb
No 1
A-
124 Charles Town 1.0 ppb
No 53
F
125 West Liberty 1.0 ppb
No 9
B
126 Petersburg 1.0 ppb
No 9
B
127 Albright 1.0 ppb
No 3
D
128 Hurricane 1.0 ppb
No 2
A
129 Procious (Camp) 1.0 ppb
No 8
D
130 Paden City 1.0 ppb
No 33
F
131 Harpers Ferry 1.0 ppb
No 21
D
132 Mcmechen 1.0 ppb
No 3
B-
133 Pennsboro 1.0 ppb
No 8
D+
134 Tunnelton 1.0 ppb
No 2
B
135 Rainelle 1.0 ppb
No 14
F
136 Washington 0.9 ppb
No 3
B
137 Marlinton 0.9 ppb
No 9
C
138 Arnett 0.9 ppb
No 13
C-
139 Gauley Bridge 0.9 ppb
No 8
D
140 Philippi 0.9 ppb
No 5
F
141 Lumberport 0.9 ppb
No 17
D
142 Moorefield 0.9 ppb
No 45
D
143 Griffithsville 0.9 ppb
No 2
D
144 Green Spring 0.9 ppb
No 7
D
145 Lavalette 0.9 ppb
No 2
B
146 White Sulphur Springs 0.9 ppb
No 8
D
147 Buckhannon 0.9 ppb
No 3
C-
148 Brandywine 0.8 ppb
No 4
B
149 Ceredo 0.8 ppb
No 11
B-
150 Clear Creek 0.8 ppb
No 1
B
151 Beaver 0.8 ppb
No 8
B-
152 Newburg 0.8 ppb
No 0
A-
153 Canaan Valley 0.8 ppb
No 4
D
154 Reynoldsville 0.8 ppb
No 0
B+
155 Chestnut Ridge 0.8 ppb
No 1
B+
156 Weirton 0.7 ppb
No 21
F
157 Spencer 0.7 ppb
No 5
A
158 Franklin 0.7 ppb
No 47
D
159 Alum Creek 0.7 ppb
No 22
F
160 Benwood 0.7 ppb
No 2
B+
161 Ronceverte 0.7 ppb
No 7
D+
162 Fairview 0.7 ppb
No 2
F
163 Mullens 0.7 ppb
No 16
F
164 Waverly 0.7 ppb
No 4
B
165 Mount Nebo 0.7 ppb
No 4
B-
166 Belva 0.7 ppb
No 5
D
167 Moundsville 0.6 ppb
No 11
F
168 Pleasant Valley 0.6 ppb
No 1
A
169 Pleasant Valley 0.6 ppb
No 1
A
170 Rupert 0.6 ppb
No 0
A-
171 Thomas 0.6 ppb
No 27
D
172 Hillsboro 0.6 ppb
No 2
C+
173 Coalwood 0.6 ppb
No 5
C
174 Birch River 0.6 ppb
No 3
B+
175 Parsons 0.6 ppb
No 15
C
176 Elkins 0.6 ppb
No 22
D
177 Oceana 0.6 ppb
No 40
D
178 St. Marys 0.6 ppb
No 3
C+
179 Chapmanville 0.5 ppb
No 6
F
180 Rowlesburg 0.5 ppb
No 19
D
181 Fenwick 0.5 ppb
No 11
F
182 West Milford 0.5 ppb
No 17
F
183 Mount Hope 0.5 ppb
No 6
C
184 Middlebourne 0.5 ppb
No 16
D
185 Mill Creek 0.5 ppb
No 25
F
186 Justice 0.5 ppb
No 2
D
187 Summersville 0.5 ppb
No 2
A-
188 Grantsville 0.5 ppb
No 35
D
189 Wallace 0.5 ppb
No 15
D+
190 English 0.5 ppb
No 11
D
191 English 0.5 ppb
No 11
D
192 Pineville 0.5 ppb
No 13
D
193 Wellsburg 0.4 ppb
No 11
F
194 Pruntytown 0.4 ppb
No 1
B-
195 New Haven 0.4 ppb
No 1
D
196 Branchland 0.4 ppb
No 8
B+
197 Grafton 0.4 ppb
No 1
F
198 Berwind 0.4 ppb
No 7
D
199 Coal City 0.4 ppb
No 1
B
200 Beverly 0.4 ppb
No 0
C-
201 Farmington 0.4 ppb
No 15
F
202 Maidsville 0.3 ppb
No 6
D
203 Rachel (Downs) 0.3 ppb
No 5
B+
204 Beech Bottom 0.3 ppb
No 1
A-
205 Cass 0.3 ppb
No 4
D
206 Camden-On-Gauley (Corp/Rr Name 0.3 ppb
No 12
F
207 Newell 0.3 ppb
No 1
A-
208 Glenville 0.3 ppb
No 10
D
209 Volga 0.3 ppb
No 5
A
210 Bridgeport 0.3 ppb
No 4
B+
211 Meadow Bridge 0.2 ppb
No 3
C
212 Flemington 0.2 ppb
No 3
B
213 Snowshoe Resort 0.2 ppb
No 22
D+
214 Frametown 0.2 ppb
No 9
D
215 Nutter Fort 0.1 ppb
No 3
F
216 Charleston 0.0 ppb
No 0
A
217 Wheeling 0.0 ppb
No 8
B-
218 Oak Hill 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
219 Logan 0.0 ppb
No 22
F
220 Scott Depot (Rr Name Scott) 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
221 Hinton 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
222 Logan 0.0 ppb
No 8
D
223 Weston 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
224 Bluefield 0.0 ppb
No 0
A+
225 Kenova 0.0 ppb
No 9
C+
226 Wayne 0.0 ppb
No 19
F
227 French Creek 0.0 ppb
No 2
A
228 Triadelphia 0.0 ppb
No 4
B
229 Amherstdale 0.0 ppb
No 6
B+
230 Greenville 0.0 ppb
No 18
F
231 Crum 0.0 ppb
No 1
B
232 Sherrard 0.0 ppb
No 1
B+
233 Williamson 0.0 ppb
No 7
D
234 Masontown 0.0 ppb
No 9
B-
235 Matewan 0.0 ppb
No 9
D
236 Windsor Heights 0.0 ppb
No 20
C+
237 Gassaway 0.0 ppb
No 0
B+
238 Naugatuck 0.0 ppb
No 14
F
239 Gilbert 0.0 ppb
No 17
D
240 Rivesville 0.0 ppb
No 16
F
241 Daniels 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
242 Fort Gay (Cassville) 0.0 ppb
No 16
D
243 Jane Lew 0.0 ppb
No 13
B+
244 Anmoore 0.0 ppb
No 5
B-
245 Goshen 0.0 ppb
No 6
C
246 Normantown 0.0 ppb
No 1
D
247 Valley Grove 0.0 ppb
No 42
D
248 Grant Town 0.0 ppb
No 5
B+
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in West Virginia

Is lead in West Virginia tap water a concern?

Yes — 2 of 248 cities with lead data exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average is 2.0 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from West Virginia tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which West Virginia cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in West Virginia are: Davis (29.2 ppb), Richwood (18.5 ppb), Lester (14.1 ppb), Fairmont (13.3 ppb), Cool Ridge (9.8 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

More contaminants

Other contaminants in West Virginia

PFAS in West Virginia
Ranked by compounds detected
→
Copper in West Virginia
Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)
→
HAA5 in West Virginia
Ranked by average concentration (µg/L)
→
Chromium-6 in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Arsenic in West Virginia
Ranked by violation count
→
Nitrate in West Virginia
Ranked by violation count
→
Strontium in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
1,4-Dioxane in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Manganese in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Vanadium in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Chlorate in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Molybdenum in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Cobalt in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Lithium in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
NDMA in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (ng/L)
→
Perchlorate in West Virginia
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
All states

Lead in drinking water by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaQCRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
← Lead contamination overview Explore West Virginia water quality → National Lead map →